Jaguars’ Week 14: Rebounding From Injuries and Terror

Immediately following the Jaguars’ disappointing loss against the Bengals, there was palpable fear and terror that Trevor Lawrence would miss the rest of the season.

Fortunately, there is some momentum-building that Trevor Lawrence could play in the Jaguars’ week 14 matchup. But, the theme of injuries is plaguing the matchup between the Browns and the Jaguars. Both teams are dealing with injuries to their quarterbacks and have been dealing with injuries across their offenses. A combination of injuries and a stout Browns defense makes for a difficult matchup for the Jaguars in week 14.

Both sides of the ball will be of focus, but two main focuses are heading into the Jaguars’ week 14 matchup. The most important position in the NFL is the quarterback, and with the Jaguars and Browns both dealing with injuries to their quarterbacks, the focus will be on who eventually starts on both sides of the ball. Another factor the Jaguars will have the see a lot of progress and improved play from is the offensive line against one of the best defenses in the NFL. To look at both of those key aspects of the Jaguars’ week 14 matchup, it’s important to look at how those position groups fare heading into the Jaguars’ week 14 matchup.

Jaguars’ Week 14: Two Key Matchups to Watch

Jaguars Quarterbacks vs. Browns Quarterbacks

It’s not a head-to-head matchup, but the eventual quarterback battle will be the focus for both teams heading into the Jaguars’ week 14 matchup. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, there will be either a first-time starter in C.J. Beathard or a banged-up Trevor Lawrence. Either way, it’s hard to be confident against a fantastic defense, especially with a backup quarterback or an injured Trevor Lawrence.

Lawrence has been improving throughout the week, and Lawrence has looked good in practice this week. But, the injury is something that has to be accounted for because Lawrence, despite his efforts, has struggled this season when he’s been banged up. C.J. Beathard wouldn’t be a major downgrade like some other backup quarterbacks, but the downgrade would be significant. While Beathard is a solid backup option, there’s a clear difference between Lawrence and Beathard.

The Jaguars will have to balance the terror of Lawrence further injuring himself versus the possibility that a loss in Cleveland could mean the division slips out of the Jaguars’ grasp. It’s a tough line to tote, especially with a young quarterback. The constant injuries plaguing Lawrence are beginning to stack up, and a decision needs to be made on whether the Jaguars can put Lawrence in jeopardy of injuring himself further in the Jaguars’ week 14 matchup. But, Lawrence is a gamer, and will probably try to play. Even so, the Browns’ defense is elite.

On the other side of the ball, the Browns have both Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Joe Flacco waiting for their name to be called. Joe Flacco looked solid in his first appearance, but with DTR back and healthy, the decision of who to start will be one to monitor for the Browns. Head coach Kevin Stefanski has declined to comment on who the starter will be. But, the Jaguars’ defense will react differently to who the Browns put out. Flacco is a better passer, while Dorian Thomspon-Robinson is a much better scrambler and mover.

Overall, the quarterback matchup is one that neither team is thrilled with. The Jaguars’ week 14 matchup will be predicated on who ends up being the starting quarterback for both teams. Trevor Lawrence and C.J. Beathard will face a tough matchup regardless, while Joe Flacco or Dorian Thomspon-Robinson will be facing a reeling Jaguars defense coming off one of their worst performances in 2023.

Jaguars’ Offensive Line vs. Browns Defensive Line

One of the running themes of the Jaguars season in 2023 has been the struggling offensive line. The Jaguars’ week 14 matchup is no different. Offensive output will be tough to come by. The Cleveland Browns defense is one of the best in the NFL in 2023, and Jim Schwartz has orchestrated a defense that has carried an anemic offense to multiple wins. The Browns aren’t an easy opponent, thanks to their defense.

For the Jaguars, the offensive line is the biggest concern. Obviously, with the loss of Christian Kirk, the offense will look different, but there are still some weapons for Lawrence or Beathard to rely on. However, the offensive line is different. A combination of an already struggling line, combined with multiple injuries at key positions means the Jaguars are going to be starting backups at multiple positions against one of the best pass-rushing defenses in the NFL. According to PFF, the Browns have a 90.4 pass rush grade, good for third in the NFL behind the 49ers and Cowboys. It’s an extremely difficult matchup for the offensive line.

An offensive line for the Jaguars’ week 14 matchup will look a lot different than the Jaguars expected. Starting offensive tackle Cam Robinson is out with an injury for the next couple of weeks, and Walker Little was expected to fill in for him at left tackle. However, during the Jaguars Monday night disaster, the offense tackle was also injured. Walker Little is out for the Jaguars’ week 14 matchup, meaning the offensive line has a new look once again.

Trade deadline acquisition Ezra Cleveland is a candidate to start for the Jaguars at left tackle, along with Cole Van Lanen or Blake Hance. Whoever ends up starting at left tackle, one of the other two will end up starting at left guard. Luke Fortner, Brandon Scherff, and Anton Harrison will be getting the start on the right side of the line. But, the blind-side protectors of Trevor Lawrence (or C.J. Beathard), will be a new group.

The NFL’s second-worst blocking team against the NFL’s third-best pass-rushing team according to PFF is a recipe for disaster. With the injuries to Walker Little and Cam Robinson, the situation has gotten even worse for the Jaguars. Games are won in the trenches, and there might be no more lopsided trench battles in week 14.

Week 14 Injury Report

Jaguars’ Week 14 Injury Report

• CB Tyson Campbell (Quadricep) – OUT
• RB Travis Etienne Jr. (Ribs) – Questionable
• DT Foley Fatukasi (Heel) – Questionable
• RB D’Ernest Johnson (Knee) – Questionable
• WR Christian Kirk (Groin) – OUT (IR)
• QB Trevor Lawrence (Ankle) – Questionable
• OT Walker Little (Hamstring) – OUT
• TE Brenton Strange (Foot) – OUT
• CB Tre Herndon (Concussion) – OUT
• CB Christian Braswell (Hamstring) – OUT

The lengthiest, and most impactful injury report of the Jaguars season comes right before a pivotal Jaguars’ week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns. There are obvious injuries that are of major concern, including the long-term health of Christian Kirk and Walker Little. Both are out for this week, with Christian Kirk expected to miss a lot longer, potentially even the rest of the season.

There are also plenty of other injuries, like to Tre Herndon and Tyson Campbell, two of the Jaguars’ top corners. Being down two corners is never a good spot to be in, regardless of who the backups will face. Fortunately, the Browns receivers haven’t torched opposing corners in 2023, and the receivers won’t have much help from their quarterback.

Another factor from this injury report is that there are plenty of key players questionable. Trevor Lawrence is the biggest concern, but I’ve already touched on the importance of Lawrence. The other major concern is the status of both Travis Etienne Jr. and D’Ernest Johnson. Both have been showing up for the Jaguars as of late, and if one or both miss it’ll spell trouble for a Jaguars offense that will need to run the ball.

It’s the worst the Jaguars have looked all season, and the injuries have begun piling up. A major concern with little time left to fix things if they get out of hand. It’s going to be a dogfight for the remainder of the season for the Jaguars. Starting that fight off with one of the toughest defenses in the NFL won’t make things any easier. An injured, and worn-down Jaguars’ week 14 is en route.

Browns Week 14 Injury Report

• WR Amari Cooper (Ribs/Concussion) – Questionable
• CB Cameron Mitchell (Hamstring) – Questionable
• CB Denzel Ward (Shoulder) – Questionable
• OT Dawand Jones (Knee) – Questionable

It’s a significantly shorter list than the Jaguars, but the key players aren’t any less impactful. Dawand Jones has been one of the better rookie offensive linemen in the NFL, and Amari Cooper is once again severely underrated. Denzel Ward is in the same boat, and if any of those players were to miss the Jaguars’ week 14 matchup, it would be a huge deal.

The most important thing that isn’t mentioned is the health of Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who wasn’t listed with an injury designation before the Jaguars’ week 14 matchup. Whether it’s DTR or Joe Flacco, the Browns will be in a much better situation health-wise across the board than the Jaguars, especially at quarterback.

Jaguars’ Week 14: Prediction

A disastrous matchup on Monday night is followed by an incredibly challenging one the following week. An injury-riddled Jaguars team travels to Cleveland to try and take a win from a wildcard team, and in the process get back on track to winning the AFC South. It’s been an up-and-down season, and with the injuries to many core players across the offense and defense, things are looking bleak.

But, the Jaguars will always be competitive if Trevor Lawrence can play. And with Lawrence making a push, it seems like there’s hope for the Jaguars to take one in Cleveland.

In my preseason predictions article, I had the Jaguars’ week 14 matchup featuring a 7-5 Jaguars team coming off a disappointing loss on Monday Night Football. Unfortunately, the Jaguars’ disappointing loss became a reality. However, the Jaguars are 8-4 instead of 7-5, which gives them much-needed room in control of the AFC South. With a tough matchup on tap, the Jaguars will look to find their way past a resilient Browns team.

I’ll go with my initial prediction, despite the circumstances drastically changing. I think the Jaguars can steal one from Cleveland, winning a tough and sloppy matchup to get to 9-4, and inching ever closer to an AFC South division title.

I predict the Jaguars beat the Browns, getting to 9-4 in the 2023 NFL season.